Purdue University Northwest > Faculty Senate > News > Senate Documents > CES 17-20 NEW COURSE PHYS 44900

CES 17-20 NEW COURSE PHYS 44900

March 28, 2018

Purdue Northwest Curriculum Document

Program Name: Physics – Nuclear Science concentration

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  • Document No: CES 17-20 NEW COURSE PHYS 44900
  • Proposed Effective Date: Fall 2018
  • Submitting Department: Chemistry & Physics, Engineering and Sciences
  • Date Reviewed by Department: March 6, 2018
  • Submission Date: 3/28/18
  • Date Reviewed College/School Curriculum Committee: 04/04/2018
  • Contact Person: Robert Kramer, Professor of Physics

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  • Approval by Faculty Senate: May 4, 2018
  • Date Reviewed by Senate Curriculum Committee: April 13, 2018
  • Name(s) of Library Staff Consulted: Not Applicable
  • Will New Library Resources Used?: No
  • Form 40 Needed?: Yes

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Task: Course Change or New Course Proposal: Complete Section II

New course number for Neutron Physics Course for Physics Nuclear Science Concentration

  • Program Name: Physics – Nuclear Science concentration
  • Degree Name: Bachelor of Science in Physics

Section I: This section is for changes in programs, minors and certificates

List the major changes in each program of study, minor or certificate.

Impact on Students:

Impact on University Resources:

Impact on other Academic Units:

Section II: This section is for changes in courses only

  • Subject: Creation of new course – PHYS 44900: Neutron Physics
  • Justification: This course is part of the Nuclear Science concentration within the Physics major and has been taught multiple times as a special topics course (PHYS 47000). We are seeking a permanent number for the course.

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Current:

 

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Proposed:

PHYS 44900 Neutron Physics (3-0-3)

This course will consider basic concepts relating to nuclear reactor theory. A familiarity with basic quantum mechanics, mechanics, electromagnetics, and modern physics is assumed. The course will introduce the physical principles behind the modeling of nuclear reactor cores. Aspects of both diffusion and transport theory will be considered in modeling nuclear reactor core neutron distributions, performance, and power generation.

Prerequisites: PHYS 34700 Nuclear Power with minimum grade of C-.

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Course Objectives / Learning Outcomes:

  1. To understand the physical processes involved in a nuclear reactor.
  2. To be able to simulate a reactor/source configuration as appropriate depending on: number of dimensions; steady state or transient; number of groups; delayed neutron precursors; space dependent properties and grid spacing.
  3. Methods to measure neutron distributions and parameters relevant for nuclear reactors, in particular reactivity and reactivity coefficients

Impact on Students:

Provide better definition of concentration objectives. Satisfies the core course requirement for the Nuclear Science concentration and provides additional electives for the physics majors.

Impact on University Resources:

Not Applicable.

Impact on other Academic Units:

Not Applicable.